Winter Camping Archives - Outside Pulse

Arizona is one of the most popular states in the US for camping and exploring the great outdoors. Thanks to popular attractions such as Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon as well as multiple National and State Parks that offer millions of pristine and untouched acres of land to explore while camping and hiking. And the best part is, thanks to Arizona's milder winter climate, most of these destinations can be enjoyed year-round and right through winter. In fact, I might argue that many of these destinations are actually best enjoyed during the winter months, due to the cooler temperatures and reduced crowds. So to help you find all the best places to explore and camp during winter in Arizona, we created this list of the top 12 winter camping spots in Arizona. 1. Lake Mead National Recreation Area Address: 106 Lakeshore Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005 Closest Major City: Las Vegas, Nevada Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Backcountry Camping Top Things to See and Do: Hoover Dam, Lake Meade Cruise, Boating and Water Sports, Redstone Hiking Trail, River Mountains Loop Bike Trail, Historic Railroad Trail Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which spans across Nevada and Arizona is the country's largest and first National Recreation Area that spans over 1.5 million acres of land and includes two separate lakes, Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. In my opinion, though it's not only the country's largest and first National Recreation Area but also the best, as you can pretty much do it all at Lake Mead National Recreation Area including boating, swimming, hiking, cycling, fishing, and of course camping. And because of the mild winter temperatures found at Lake Mead National Recreation area, you can pretty much do all of these activities year-round. Average Winter Temperatures at Lake Mead National Recreation Area Month Average High Average Low December 58° F 37° F January 59° F 38° F February 64° F 42° F Camping at Lake Mead National Recreation Area Lake Mead is known for its abundance of camping spots, as it has over 900 camping and RV spots spread across 15 different campgrounds, which is why it's one of the most popular places for camping in the country. All Lake Mead campgrounds offer restrooms, running water, grills, picnic tables, as well as dump stations. And there are also Concessioner campgrounds that offer full RV hook-ups if you're looking for more comfort and amenities while camping. In addition, Lake Mead National Recreation Area also offers some amazing backcountry camping that can be accessed through a network of backcountry roads leading to the lakeshore and other wilderness areas. For more info on camping at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, check out Lake Mead National Recreation Area's website by clicking here. 2. Grand Canyon National Park Address: S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023 Closest Major City: Flagstaff, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Backcountry Camping Top Things to See and Do: Grand Canyon Views, Hiking, Grand Canyon Village, Bright Angel Trail, Rim Trail, Havasu Falls, Colorado River Rafting, Mule Trips No camping list for Arizona for any time of the year would be complete without including the Grand Canyon National Park, which is the state's biggest and most popular destination. As the Grand Canyon National Park receives over 5.9 million visitors a year, making it the second most visited National Park in the country, only behind the Great Smokey Mountains. So why is the Grand Canyon National Park so popular? Well to start with the views and vistas in the park are truly awe-inspiring and spectacular but the Grand Canyon is so much more than just incredible views, as it also offers amazing hiking, camping, and white water rafting, and even mule rides if that's your thing. To see all the best hiking trails at Grand Canyon National Park and to find out how long each trail takes to hike, check out our article "How Long Does it Take to Hike the Grand Canyon? Actual Trail Times". Average Winter Temperatures at Grand Canyon National Park Month Average High Average Low December 58° F 39° F January 65° F 38° F February 65° F 42° F Camping in Grand Canyon National Park There are three campgrounds inside Grand Canyon National Park including Mather Campground located on the South Rim, Desert View Campground also located on the South Rim, and North Rim Campground. However, both Desert View Campground and North Rim Campground are only open seasonally and are closed during the winter. So if you want to tent camp in the winter at Grand Canyon National Park, you will need to make a reservation for Mather Campground, which is open year-round. Grand Canyon National Park also has one RV park as well called Trailer Village, which is located in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and is open year-round. For more information on the different campgrounds as well as how to make a reservation, be sure to check out Grand Canyon National Park's website by clicking here. As a note though, due to the popularity of the Grand Canyon National Park, it can be difficult to get a campsite, as they often fill up well in advance. 3. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Address: 4304 Bullfrog, Lake Powell, UT 84533 Closest Major City: Flagstaff, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Backcountry Camping Top Things to See and Do: Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, Horseshoe Bend, Powell Musem, Lower Antelope Canyon Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses over 1.25 million acres of land across Arizona and Utah that offer some of the best vistas and panoramic views of desert landscape in the country, which can be enjoyed from multiple vantage points and while hiking along its numerous hiking trails. Known best for Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of Arizona's top destinations for visitors looking for endless desert views and backcountry exploration. Average Winter Temperatures in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Month Average High Average Low December 44° F 23° F January 43° F 22° F February 50° F 27° F Camping in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has eight campgrounds run by the National Park Service and Park Concessioners as well as three primitive camping areas. And there are both tent campsites, as well as RV campsites available. If you plan to camp in the winter months at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area though, you need to be prepared to camp in temperatures below freezing, as the low temperatures in the winter months can often dip below freezing. For more detailed information on the individual campgrounds such as the number of campsites and available amenities, check out Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's website by clicking here. 4. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Address: 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321 Closest Major City: Phoenix, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Backcountry Camping Top Things to See and Do: Ajo Mountain Scenic Route Drive, Double Arches Trail through Arch Canyon, Vibrant Desert Landscapes, Organ Pipe Cactus Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is one of the few places in the US that you can see Organ Pipe Cacti in the wild, which is one of the most impressive cactus species in existence. As the Organ Pipe Cactus can grow to heights of 30 feet tall and can live for over 200 years! But Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has more to offer than just its namesake, as the area is home to a diverse community of desert plants and animals as well as an International Biosphere Reserve. Average Winter Temperatures in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Month Average High Average Low December 69° F 40° F January 70° F 40° F February 73° F 42° F Camping in Organ Pipe National Monument There are two campgrounds available in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument including Twin Peaks Campgrounds, which has 34 tent sites and 174 RV sites as well as Alamo Campground which has 4 primitive tent campsites. In addition, backcountry camping in the national monument is also available in nine separate zones. For more information on the campgrounds and how to reserve a spot, be sure to check out Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument's website by clicking here. 5. Monument Valley Address: Indn Route 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536 Closest Major City: Flagstaff, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Backcountry Camping Top Things to See and Do: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Wildcat Trail, Goulding's Trading Post Museum, Sandstone Tours Monument Valley spans across 92,000 acres of Navajo Nation, across both Arizona and Utah, and provides some of the most picturesque views and vistas of the American West. Which is probably why Monument Valley is one of the most photographed places on earth. And the most recognizable and photographed part of Monument Valley by far is the massive sandstone formations that rise into the sky at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet. Average Winter Temperatures in Monument Valley Month Average High Average Low December 42° F 25° F January 42° F 25° F February 48° F 29° F Camping in Monument Valley There are two main options for camping in and near Monument Valley including backcountry camping and campground camping. If you choose to camp in the backcountry in Mountment Valley, then you will need to obtain a backcountry permit through the Navajo Nation's website by clicking here. If backcountry camping is not your thing though, not to worry, as there are many campgrounds located near Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that offer front country tent camping as well as RV camping. And the three most popular campgrounds are The View Campground, Monument Valley KOA Journey, and Monument Valley Tipi Village. 6. Saguaro National Park Address: 3693 South Old Spanish Trail Tucson, AZ 85730 Closest Major City: Tucson, Arizona Camping Available: Backcountry Camping Top Things to See and Do: The Bajada Loop Drive, Cactus Forest Drive, Valley View Overlook Trail, Signal Hill Petroglyphs The main attraction in Saguaro National Park, as the name implies is the giant Saguaro Cactus, which is considered the symbol of the American West. Saguaro National Park is separated into two separate sections, including the eastern section called the Rincon Mountain District and the western section called the Tuscon Mountain District. And each section of the park offers its own amazing drives filled with desert landscapes as well as an abundance of hiking trails that really allow you to get up close and personal to the huge cacti and natural desert landscape. So if you have the time you should definitely visit both sections of the park, as many of the top things to do from above are evenly distributed between the eastern and western sections of the park. Average Winter Temperatures in Saguaro National Park Month Average High Average Low December 65° F 39° F January 66° F 39° F February 69° F 41° F Camping in Saguaro National Park There are no developed campgrounds in Saguaro National Park for tents or RVs, as the only camping available inside the park is backcountry camping, which requires a permit. But if you have more of an adventurous spirit and don't mind roughing it, Saguaro National Park offers some amazing backcountry campsites including Juniper Basin, Manning Camp, Happy Valley Saddle, Spud Rock Spring, Grass Shack, and Douglas Spring. If you plan to camp in Saguaro National Park in the backcountry during the winter months though, it's important to be mindful and watch out for winter storms, which can dump up to 2 to 6 feet of snow and drop the temperature into the single digits at higher elevations. Which is one of the reasons why the Douglas Spring Campsite is so popular during the winter months. As it sits at the lowest elevation of all the campsites, at 1,800 feet, which makes it less susceptible to winter storms. For more information on backcountry camping in Saguaro National Park and to find out how to obtain a backcountry permit for camping, check out the National Parks Service website by clicking here. 7. Petrified Forest National Park Address: 2217 1 Park Road Petrified Forest, AZ 86028 Closest Major City: Flagstaff, Arizona Camping Available: Backcountry Camping Top Things to See and Do: Painted Desert, Rainbow Forest, Blue Mesa Hiking Trail, Crystal Forest Trail, Painted Desert Inn Located near Flagstaff, Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park, as the name implies has some of the best examples of petrified wood in the nation. But it's not just the petrified wood that makes this park so unique. As it also offers some of the best desert landscape views throughout the park, including the Painted Desert Hills, the Tepees in the badlands area of the park, and the Blue Mesa. Average Winter Temperatures in Petrified Forest National Park Month Average High Average Low December 50° F 24° F January 49° F 23° F February 55° F 26° F Camping in Petrified Forest National Park Petrified Forest National Park offers no RV, car, or front country camping inside the park and only offers backcountry camping. Which requires you to backpack or hike into designated Petrified Forest National Wilderness Areas, which does require a permit. The good news though, is that the permit is free and you can obtain one from the visitor center on the day of your visit. However, it is worth mentioning that the temperatures in the winter months often dip well below freezing in the Petrified Forest National Park. So if you plan to camp in the park during the winter months in their backcountry primitive camping areas, you need to be prepared for cold weather camping and freezing temperatures. For more information on backcountry camping in Petrified Forest National Park, check out the National Park's website by clicking here. 8. Lake Havasu State Park Address: 699 London Bridge Rd, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 Closest Major City: Phoenix, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabin Camping Top Things to See and Do: Fishing, Boating, Mohave Sunset Trail, Arroyo-Camino Interpretive Garden While Lake Havasu is not the largest body of water in Arizona as both Lake Powell and Lake Mead are roughly 8 times larger. Any large body of water in Arizona is always a welcome oasis and respite from the hot, dry, and arid desert landscape of Arizona. Which is why Lake Havasu is such a popular destination and camping spot in Arizona. First formed between 1934 and 1938 due to the construction of the Parker Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Havasu has since become one of the most popular boating and fishing destinations in Arizona. In fact, Lake Havasu offers such perfect year-round fishing conditions, that it is often considered one of the best fishing spots in the Southwest. Average Winter Temperatures in Lake Havasu State Park Month Average High Average Low December 65° F 43° F January 67° F 44° F February 72° F 47° F Camping in Lake Havasu State Park There are numerous camping opportunities in Lake Havasu State Park, as they offer year-round tent camping, RV camping, and even cabin camping. All campsites have 50 Amp electrical hookups and access to potable water as well as a picnic table and fire ring. There are also 13 cabins that can be rented at Lake Havasu State Park that are located right along the Colorado River that offer a fire pit, fire ring, picnic table, and a white sandy beach. For more information on Lake Havasu State Park camping and to make a reservation, be sure to check out Lake Havasu's website by clicking here. 9. Patagonia Lake State Park Address: 400 Patagonia Lake Rd, Nogales, AZ 85621 Closest Major City: Tucson, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabin Camping Top Things to See and Do: Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing Lake Patagonia State Park is a hidden gem in the southwest corner of Arizona that is a great place for winter camping if you like boating, fishing, and being near water. As the nearby Lakeside Market offers boat rentals and supplies and the campground directly overlooks the lake, which is stocked with a wide variety of fish including crappie, bass, bluegill, catfish, and trout. And if water activities and sports aren't your thing, not to worry, as there is still plenty of land activities to do in the park. As Lake Patagonia State Park offers lots of hiking trails as well as some amazing wildlife viewing where you can see a wide variety of animals including whitetail deer and great blue herons. Average Winter Temperatures at Lake Patagonia State Park Month Average High Average Low December 65° F 34° F January 65° F 34° F February 67° F 35° F Camping at Lake Patagonia State Park Lake Patagonia State Park campground offers a wide variety of camping options including tent camping, RV camping, and cabin camping. The campground has 105 developed campsites that offer 20, 30, and 50 Amp service as well as potable water and a picnic table and fire ring/grill. There are also 7 furnished cabins in the campground that can be rented that are right on the lake. For more information on Lake Patagonia State Park campground and to reserve a campsite, check out Lake Patagonia State Park's website by clicking here. 10. Catalina State Park Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737 Closest Major City: Tuscon, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping Top Things to See and Do: Wildlife Viewing, Hiking, Biking, Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail, Canyon Loop Trail, Sutherland Trail Catalina State Park while not as impressive as some of the larger National Parks in Arizona is still a great place for hiking, camping, and spending time in nature. As Catalina State Park offers numerous hiking trails as well as an abundance of campsites for both tents as well as RVs. And perhaps one of the best parts about Catalina State Park is that it is far less crowded compared to the larger National and State Parks in Arizona, especially during the winter months. Which makes Catalina State Park a great place to unwind and enjoy the solitude of the desert landscape. Average Winter Temperatures in Catalina State Park Month Average High Average Low December 65° F 31° F January 66° F 30° F February 68° F 31° F Camping in Catalina State Park Catalina State Park campground offers 120 campsites that have both electricity and water as well as a picnic table and BBQ grill. In addition, the campground is open year-round and there is an RV dump station inside the park. For more information about camping in Catalina State Park and to make a reservation, be sure to check out Catalina State Park's website by clicking here. 11. Chiricahua National Monument Address: E Bonita Canyon Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643 Closest Major City: Tuscon, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping Top Things to See and Do: 17 Miles of Hiking Trails, Scenic Drives, Wildlife Viewing Known as the "Wonderland of Rocks" the Chiricahua National Monument packs a lot of nature and beauty into a 12,025 acres site. As there is something for everyone to enjoy at this National Monument, including an 8-mile scenic drive, 17 miles of hiking trails, bird watching, wildlife watching, historical district, and camping. But what really brings visitors to Chiricahua National Monument is the unique and incredible rock formations that were formed by the erosion of compacted volcanic ash from the eruption of an ancient volcano. Average Winter Temperatures at Chiricahua National Monument Month Average High Average Low December 55° F 28° F January 54° F 28° F February 57° F 29° F Camping at Chiricahua National Monument The only campground at Chiricahua National Monument is the Bonita Canyon Campground, which offers both tent camping and RV camping. If you plan to RV camp in Bonita Canyon Campground though, be aware the size limit for RVs in the campground is 29 feet and there are no hookups. It's also worth mentioning that if you plan to camp in Bonita Canyon Campground during the winter, you need to be prepared to cold weather camp as the temperatures routinely drop below freezing during the night. For more information on the Bonita Canyon Campground and to learn how to make a reservation, check out Chiricahua National Monument's website by clicking here. 12. Usery Mountain Regional Park Address: 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207 Closest Major City: Phoenix, Arizona Camping Available: Tent Camping, RV Camping Top Things to See and Do: 29 Miles of Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding Trails, the Only 5-Star Archery Range in Arizona, Nature Center Usery Mountain Regional Park is located in northeast Mesa Arizona just outside of Phoenix. And it offers 3,638 acres of pristine desert landscape that can be enjoyed either by hiking, biking, or horseback riding, thanks to its 29 miles of trails that wind through the desert. In addition, it also offers some great camping, thanks to its large well-equipped campground. Average Winter Temperatures in Usery Mountain Regional Park Month Average High Average Low December 65° F 41° F January 64° F 40° F February 69° F 43° F Camping in Usery Moutain Regional Park Usery Mountain Regional Park campground has 73 campsites that can accommodate both tent camping and RV camping. All campsites in the campground have water and electric hookups as well as a fire ring and picnic table and can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet. There is also a dump station in the campground for RVs. For more information on the Usery Mountain Regional Park campground and to make a reservation, make sure you check out Usery Moutain Regional Park's website by clicking here. Is it too Cold to Camp in Arizona in December? Temperatures can vary considerably across the state of Arizona in December, with some areas reaching highs of over 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while other areas can have lows of well below freezing. So whether it's too cold for camping in Arizona in December depends on two things, the first being where you intend to camp and the second being what you consider too cold for camping. If you're looking for warm-weather camping in Arizona in December, in general, the farther south you go in the state, the warmer the lows will be while camping, with areas near Tuscon, Phoenix, and Yuma being the warmest. However, even in the warmest areas of Arizona in December, the lows will often get into the 40s and even the 30s at night. So if you plan to camp in Arizona in December, you need to be prepared to camp in temperatures in the 30s and even 20s throughout the night, especially in the northern areas of the state. Can You Camp in Arizona in January? Arizona is one of the warmer states in the US during the winter months, with temperatures in January often reaching 70 degrees or more during the day. And because of these warmer and milder temperatures during the winter, most campgrounds are open all year in Arizona, allowing you to camp year-round and right through winter. However, temperatures can vary greatly in Arizona in January depending on where you are in the state with southern areas being warmer and northern areas being colder. In addition, there can also be pretty significant temperatures swings of 30 degrees or more between the daytime highs and nighttime lows. So if you do plan on camping in Arizona in January, you need to be prepared for colder temperatures during the night, which can drop below freezing depending on where you are in the state. What is the Warmest Place in Arizona in the Winter? The warmest place in Arizona in the winter is Yuma, Arizona, which consistently has highs of over 70 degrees and lows above 40 degrees during the winter months. Average Winter Temperatures in Yuma, Arizona Month Average High Average Low December 69° F 42° F January 71° F 44° F February 75° F 46° F In addition, Yuma, Arizona is also the sunniest place in the country as well, as Yuma has an average of 4,133 hours of sunshine each year. Can You Camp in Sedona in December? In December in Sedona, Arizona the average high is 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low is 34 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it's more than warm enough to camp in Sedona in December. However, it's important to keep in mind that while daytime temperatures in Sedona during the winter months can be quite comfortable often in the mid-50s to low-60s, nighttime temperatures will often bottom out near freezing. So if you plan to camp in Sedona in December, you need to be prepared for cold weather camping and have the appropriate cold weather camping gear. Can You Camp in Flagstaff in December? You can camp in Flagstaff, Arizona during December and throughout the winter, as most campgrounds in and near Flagstaff are open year-round, thanks to mild Arizona winter temperatures. However, you need to be prepared for cold weather camping and have the appropriate cold-weather camping gear if you do so. As the average high in December in Flagstaff, Arizona is only 44 degrees Farenheight and the average low is a freezing 17 degrees Farenheight.